{{argument-stub}} Some apologists apparently believe that everyone really believes in [[God]], and anyone who claims not to believe is simply lying, or [[angry at God]]. They may claim that [[atheism]] is a form of rebellion, or that God is so indelibly written on everyone's heart that no one can deny belief. The argument is frequently supported by the claim that it is impossible to know definitively that there is no God, therefore an atheist must be an [[agnostic]]. This argument is fallacious as it incorrectly assumes that atheism and agnosticism are mutually exclusive.

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Some apologists apparently believe that everyone really believes in [[God]], and anyone who claims not to believe is simply lying, or [[angry at God]]. They may claim that [[atheism]] is a form of rebellion, or that God is so indelibly written on everyone's heart that no one can deny belief. God can't be indelibly written because people who have never heard the [[Gospel]] do not automatically become Christians unless they are taught, children do not automatically become Christians without teaching either.

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The argument is frequently supported by the claim that it is impossible to know definitively that there is no God, therefore an atheist must be an [[agnostic]]. This argument is fallacious as it incorrectly assumes that atheism and agnosticism are mutually exclusive. It is also ironic, since it is just as impossible to know definitively that there ''is'' a God. Therefore, theists also must be [[agnostic]].

But this isn't the only problem with this criticism.

But this isn't the only problem with this criticism.

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This claim has a lack of evidence, and seems to be based on pure speculative assumption.

This claim has a lack of evidence, and seems to be based on pure speculative assumption.

How do we know that theists and religious people aren't really just atheistic nonreligious people who are just lying and merely angry at reality?

How do we know that theists and religious people aren't really just atheistic nonreligious people who are just lying and merely angry at reality?

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The the reason it is known they really do believe this stuff is because of how far they are willing to go to defend it. From Muslims who blow themselves up, to Christians, Hindus, and other such people who donate their life savings to clergy in the hopes of reaching eternal life, Nirvana, etc.

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The reason it is known they really do believe this stuff is because of how far they are willing to go to defend it. From Muslims who blow themselves up, to Christians, Hindus, and other such people who donate their life savings to clergy in the hopes of reaching eternal life, Nirvana, etc.

By contrast, most atheists don't even care to even call themselves atheists.

By contrast, most atheists don't even care to even call themselves atheists.

According to the Pew forum Survey, even though about 1.6% US Americans self identify as Atheists (http://religions.pewforum.org/affiliations). However, 5% of the USA population in 2007 didn't believe there was a god, while 3%, weren't sure (http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#)

According to the Pew forum Survey, even though about 1.6% US Americans self identify as Atheists (http://religions.pewforum.org/affiliations). However, 5% of the USA population in 2007 didn't believe there was a god, while 3%, weren't sure (http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#)

Both are qualifications for being atheist--lack of a belief in a deity, or deities. This implies that as many as 8% of US Americans are technically atheists, yet don't even know, or care enough to call themselves atheists.

Both are qualifications for being atheist--lack of a belief in a deity, or deities. This implies that as many as 8% of US Americans are technically atheists, yet don't even know, or care enough to call themselves atheists.

They could also be afraid of persecution from the Christian Majority, However.

They could also be afraid of persecution from the Christian Majority, However.

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[[Category:Criticisms of atheism]]

[[Category:Criticisms of atheism]]

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[[Category:Arguments]]

Revision as of 09:35, 12 December 2011

Some apologists apparently believe that everyone really believes in God, and anyone who claims not to believe is simply lying, or angry at God. They may claim that atheism is a form of rebellion, or that God is so indelibly written on everyone's heart that no one can deny belief. God can't be indelibly written because people who have never heard the Gospel do not automatically become Christians unless they are taught, children do not automatically become Christians without teaching either.

The argument is frequently supported by the claim that it is impossible to know definitively that there is no God, therefore an atheist must be an agnostic. This argument is fallacious as it incorrectly assumes that atheism and agnosticism are mutually exclusive. It is also ironic, since it is just as impossible to know definitively that there is a God. Therefore, theists also must be agnostic.
But this isn't the only problem with this criticism.

A Lack of Evidence

This claim has a lack of evidence, and seems to be based on pure speculative assumption.
How do we know that theists and religious people aren't really just atheistic nonreligious people who are just lying and merely angry at reality?
The reason it is known they really do believe this stuff is because of how far they are willing to go to defend it. From Muslims who blow themselves up, to Christians, Hindus, and other such people who donate their life savings to clergy in the hopes of reaching eternal life, Nirvana, etc.
By contrast, most atheists don't even care to even call themselves atheists.
According to the Pew forum Survey, even though about 1.6% US Americans self identify as Atheists (http://religions.pewforum.org/affiliations). However, 5% of the USA population in 2007 didn't believe there was a god, while 3%, weren't sure (http://religions.pewforum.org/comparisons#)
Both are qualifications for being atheist--lack of a belief in a deity, or deities. This implies that as many as 8% of US Americans are technically atheists, yet don't even know, or care enough to call themselves atheists.
They could also be afraid of persecution from the Christian Majority, However.